Removing HomeKit Secure Router without resetting accessories

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Level 1

4 points

Removing HomeKit Secure Router without resetting accessories

I am upgrading my router, completely removing the Linksys Velop as one of very few and dwindling HomeKit Secure Routers on the market. The newer HomeKit Secure and Matter Thread updates of the last several years have deeply tied HomeKit Secure Router into Home in such a way that removing the HomeKit Secure Router causes me to need to factor reset almost all my accessories. This is the biggest thing I have dread for so long, waiting for newer Routers to support 2.5G and 10G Ethernet speeds for a Fiber Optic ONT connection. I have to ask does anyone have a simplified way to backup and restore the devices on the Home App? I am not looking forward to removing, rescanning and resetting scenes and automations across 20-30 accessories. I'm disappointed HK Secure Routers are not more adopted in better products. But is there an "easy way" to go about the removal of HKSR from my Home settings that won't make me have to reset all the Leviaton and iHome switches I have installed?

HomePod mini

Posted on Dec 1, 2025 8:05 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 2, 2025 9:11 AM in response to Twintails

No — Apple does not provide any native way to back up or preserve HomeKit accessory pairing when removing a HomeKit Secure Router (HKSR).

And unfortunately, Linksys Velop models using the HKSR integration attach themselves so deeply into the Home architecture that removing the router will almost always invalidate the cryptographic pairing for many accessories.

This means those devices need to be factory-reset and re-added.

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Answer 2

Twintails Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 2, 2025 12:20 PM in response to azaksalmarzur28

I figured as much. The Linksys system is troublesome, I find I am needing to reboot it as it gets Time Sync issues with DNS and Certs / Keys way too frequent. The NETGEAR Nighthawk system I am trying to setup is not impressing me in the least; the interface and experience of use are all geared toward "Wizard" and "Happy Path" despite the Nighthawk being a more "Pro" line. I'm about to reset it all back to factor and return the things. And maybe try TP-Link or the only other HKSR "Alien" system. This is HKSR system I know came about to support aging iOT like iHome that are not getting firmware updates to support non TKIP - like WPA2 or WPA3. but it's been somewhat rendered moot with Matter and Thread spec/protocols. it's just ultra frustrating for those folks with lots of plugs and no way to "replace old Accessory in Home with new accessory"

Dear Apple Engineering, please make "replace old Accessory in Home with new accessory" a HOT TOPIC at work this week and next. Thanks! Oh, and provide a way to easily off board from HomeKit Secure Router so we don't feel tied to aging technology. 😜

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